Spring 2012

Spring 2012

Please contact our team with any questions or inquiries

Tim Burgess David Graunke A.J. Jania Alan Jania Michael Jania Susan Jania Karen Johns-Wrobel Gina Moore Debbie Peterson Julie Shauman Sandra Vahl Tony Waters

Spring 2012 Edition

Diamond News is a publication of Diamond Envelope Corporation published in our main office in Aurora, Illinois and is available to our Employees, Vendors and Customers. We welcome any comments or article suggestions. Please send them to our editors. Debbie Peterson debbiep@diamondenvelope.com Joy Bailey joyb@diamondenvelope.com DIAMOND ENVELOPE CORPORATION 2270 White Oak Circle Aurora, IL 60502 Phone: 630-499-2800 Fax: 630-499-2801 www.diamondenvelope.com Thank you to this editions contributors: Joy Bailey, Alan Jania, A.J. Jania, Michael Jania, Debbie Peterson, David Graunke and Linda Wilk

NEWSLETTER

Spring 2012

Spring 2012

Letter from the President

Diamond Envelope Corporation was founded in 1984 when Judy Jania agreed to let her husband take their entire life savings to start a business. Diamond Envelope began as a broker operation with only three employees in the basement of Alan and Judys home in Park Ridge, Illinois. Diamond has grown to become one of the most successful independent envelope manufacturers in the country located in the familys owned building in Aurora, Illinois and employs nearly 100 envelope experts. Today, Diamond manufactures nearly 3,600,000 each day and on March 20 right around the Noon hour manufactured its 1 Billionth envelope in a twelve-month period. An objective the plant had set for itself in April 2011 and stayed the course. They accomplished this goal while also achieving over 1,200 days without a lost time incident. As important as it is to make enough envelopes each day, we do not allow our quality standards to be compromised and the safety of our envelope experts remains in the forefront of everything we do. Despite being an independent envelope manufacturer among an industry of big, multi-plant operations, Diamond has continued to build a loyal customer base and has grown each year for the past 27+ years. Diamond credits its success to staying true to family values and dedication to customer service on which it was founded. Diamond remains a family run business today as the second generation of AJ, Michael and Susan Jania work in the business each day.

Advertising Mail and the Environment

Not surprisingly, a few extreme activists are making false and misleading claims about advertising mail and the environment. But the facts prove that mail is a very environmentally responsible way to advertise. Were proud of our environmental record and happy to discuss it. What is the impact of advertising mail on U.S. forests? Our forests are as healthy as theyve been in years. Why? Because major U.S. paper manufacturers have adopted sustainable forestry practices where trees are planted, harvested and re-planted to ensure a growing future supply. Nearly all paper used for advertising mail is generated from these sustainably managed forests. In fact, there are more forests in the U.S. today than there were 50 years ago. Americas forestry and paper community plants more than 1.7 million new trees each day thats 620 million new trees each year. The industry plants three trees for every one harvested. Does advertising mail hurt Americas old growth forests? No. Here in the United States, no old growth forests absolutely none are used for advertising mail. Nearly all paper used for advertising mail is generated from sustainably managed forests where trees are planted, harvested and then re-planted. Is advertising mail recyclable? Yes, advertising mail is recyclable, and recycling rates are growing rapidly. EPA studies show that annual recycling rates for advertising mail have increased seven-fold since 1990, and continue to climb. And thanks to recycling efforts by the forestry and paper industry and others, almost two of every three Americans now have access to local recycling options, such as drop-off and curbside pickup. More importantly, advertising mail is a useful tool for millions of Americans. Studies show that more than 8 in 10 households read or scan their advertising mail. And for good reason: Advertising mail helps people identify small shops and good values in their own neighborhood. Who hasnt saved money with a coupon they received in the mail? What is advertising mails impact on global climate change? Advertising mail makes it easier for consumers to shop from home, which means fewer traffic jams, headaches, wild goose chases and wasted time and gas. Heres a way to cut our carbon footprint if we all replaced just two trips to the mall each year by shopping with a catalog or direct mail, we would: Cut traffic and car time by 3.3 billion miles. Cut automobile pollution and carbon dioxide emission by more than 3 billion pounds. Save more than $325 million on gasoline alone.1 If you have any questions or comments concerning the environment and advertising mail, I would be happy to discuss it with you. Please let me know.
1

Assumes average national gasoline price of $2.05 per gallon. (11/19/08)

The content and information contained within this article is provided from the Mail Moves America website.

Alan Jania

Michael Jania michael@diamondenvelope.com

Spring 2012

Spring 2012

Utilizing Direct Marketing to Enhance Social Media

Clearly, the evolution of social media has caused marketing professionals to re-assess their approach to the marketplace. A key question for those of us in direct marketing is how to best position our ability to focus on a direct marketing approach tied closely with social media networks. Compared to direct marketing where an offer is created based on what the company wants to sell, social media focuses more on involving communities with creating the offer and promoting it. How do we best leverage these two marketing channels? A suggested approach might look like this: Through research and analytics, develop and build a list of direct marketing responders who are known to utilize social media on a regular basis. Create and implement a series of direct mail packages that provide landing pages on social media sites to enhance the offer. Provide an easy way for the customer to engage and respond to the offer in a way that can enhance their online experience through a number of channels. Examples include airlines and local restaurants, where an offer can be tied to the social experience. Review and analyze social media comments and feedback. Measure and tailor your next direct mail campaign accordingly. These results will provide the platform for targeted and highly personalized mailing campaigns that a customer will recognize and look for in the mail. At Diamond Envelope Corporation we recognize and embrace these changes in how their customer interacts with our clients. Our goal is to provide expertise and guidance that allow the first piece they see (the envelope) to reflect the customers changing ways of communicating with your company. Please call us to discuss how this will be a positive and productive impact on your bottom line in 2012.
David Graunke davidg@diamondenvelope.com

One Billion Envelopes Manufactured!

Diamond has gained a nation-wide presence through having the most modern equipment our industry has to offer our clients. Diamond can and does provide its clients unparalleled customer service, quality products and timely deliveries to all 48 continental states and Canada. Customers enjoy a real piece of mind when they know Diamond is manufacturing their product. For over 27 years Diamond has demonstrated excellence in the envelope manufacturing industry by distinguishing itself with a commitment to delivering customer satisfaction, a highly trained and passionate staff and dedication to fair pricing. As we relish in making our 1 Billionth envelope we want to say thank you to our customers, envelope experts and vendors for giving us the opportunity to reach this milestone!

Alan Jania

Spring 2012

Spring 2012

Paper Based Communications An Integral Part of Marketing and Society Part II

Diamond Envelope Corporation is a member of the EMA or Envelope Manufacturers Association. The EMA has recently joined a new fast growing non-profit organization called Two Sides. Two sides is a new organization established to promote the responsible production, use and sustainability of print and paper. This organization is committed to educating consumers and people in this country about the real advantages of paper based communications. Paper made from trees is one of the earths most renewable resources. Forests are managed as crops in the paper world today just as fruit and vegetables. Forests create jobs for growing, planting and financial stability in managing the land as opposed to selling for development. The print and paper based communications industry relies on these tree crops for continued success and jobs. The print industry of which envelopes is a major component creates millions of jobs and over 1.1 trillion spent in the economy. These are staggering numbers. They truly show how many people rely on paper-based communications for income and jobs. Paper is sustainable and renewable and will continue to thrive in our economy for many years. Paper is necessary. Analysts have done research especially in marketing proving that the touch and feel of an advertisement has a much greater effect long term on the brain than electronic advertisements. We will continue to educate as many people possible of the benefits of paper and the long lasting effect versus electronic media. There is a place in the world for both medias to co-exist and work together in society. Visit the website for Two Sides at www.twosides.us

Rick Soderstrom Retirement

Rick Soderstrom joined Diamond Envelope Corporation on September 17, 1984. When Alan Jania left Royal Envelope to start up his own company, Rick followed soon after. Ricks first day at the newly formed Diamond Envelope Corporation would expand into a 27-year career as Sales Director covering clients in Illinois, Minnesota and Wisconsin. Over the years Rick worked with a sales force of experienced executives as well as newly graduated college recruits. Ricks knowledge of the envelope industry was second to none and he willingly shared his knowledge with everyone he met. On March 9, 2012 Rick decided to hang up his briefcase, silence his mobile devices, stop checking the production board and look forward to the next chapter in his life called retirement. Rick will be enjoying this special time with his wife, Kathleen, their children and grandchildren happily bouncing back and forth between their homes in Illinois and Michigan. Rick, thank you for your years of service and dedication to the envelope industry. Enjoy this magical time in your life. Youve certainly deserved it! Please think of us and remember us with a smile each time you check your mail!

A.J. Jania aj@diamondenvelope.com

Diamond Envelope Corporation